Joe Stock Broker makes a killing on the market. He short sells on a freshly-listed startup: bets that it's overpriced, that it doesn't have what it takes. And when it collapses, he guts the little fish while it's still gasping for air, buys out its discounted stock to balance his books at the end of trading. What a killing, he thinks to himself. He keeps the stock market machine well-oiled with the fat of those he fries. Corporate fish fear his professional pride.
But Joe is only thirty and already, his hair is thinning. The stress shows in the lines on his face and the twitch in his hand.

Jane Investment Banker brings in huge bonuses every month. The best in her field of technology funds, she knows who to play and who to drop. Since college, she knew who to play and who to drop. She'd give every suitor a once-over, know better than themselves what they did, how they did it, and how good they were in bed. Capital, outlays and revenue projections. And then there were the profits. She relished the profits to the early hours of the morning.
But now, three hours of sleep a night is taking its toll on Jane's body. When was the last time she saw the sun?

John Technopreneur has a small fortune in options. And he's only been in the business for a year. The killer app he's designing will change how we perceive the Internet. And swallow his competitors whole. He has vision that penetrates decades ahead, and hands that thrive on down-to-earth dirty work. From business plan to first-round financing to breaking even to IPO. All that, and he's only twenty-four.
But John is being consumed and he knows it. Every thought that enters his head is about how to make the business better. He hasn't had a free moment in his mind for months.

Jack Civil Servant just got a pay rise. For his efforts in fighting inertia, he'd like to believe. He turns policies on their heads, throws in some spin, and lets them loose on the floor. They ever know what hit them.
But everyday, Jack is stonewalled by those who don't dare rock the boat. "It ain't broke; don't re-invent the wheel," he keeps hearing. "He's led us for over thirty years, and look where we are now. He has to be right. Always." O calm, dishonourable, vile submission. "Play safe, don't gamble with a country's future." Jack gambles with his integrity by staying in the same place. He knows it'll make him stop trying one day.